In this lesson, Hawkeye covers some key components pertaining to the guitar style of Mississippi John Hurt. He played with an alternating bass style while simultaneously playing melody notes or chordal figures on the treble strings. Layering of two simultaneous parts is quite common in the country, blues, and bluegrass genres. Remember that all of these styles have roots in the blues.

As Hawkeye mentions, the alternating bass figure is a popular left-hand figure played by boogie pianists. When transferred to the guitar, the right hand thumb must perform what is typically played on piano in the left-hand. The bass line alternates between the root and the fifth of each chord. Hawkeye demonstrates the alternating bass line along with a G major chord at 01:25. Notice how the bass line is played with palm muting while the treble portion is played with a smooth legato feel.

Note: For more information about the alternating bass line, check out the Phase 2 Bluegrass lessons available on JamPlay.com.

John Hurt may not have been the first guitarist in the blues genre to use the alternating bass pattern. However, he was the first to popularize this style of playing. Then, Merle Travis took the alternating bass line to new heights. Merle was a country player that added elements from the ragtime, blues, and jazz genres. He had a profound influence on guitarists such as the great Chet Atkins. Atkins applied this bass pattern to everything from Beatles covers to songs written by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. In the modern day, several players still exploit all that the alternating bass line has to offer. Some modern famous players that utilize this technique are Leo Kottke and Paul Jeremiah.

Throughout this lesson, Hawkeye will show you the basics of the alternating bass line. For more ways in which this bass line can be applied, check out some recordings of the guitarists listed above.

Practicing the Alternating Bass Line

When you first learn the alternating bass line, isolate and practice this pattern before adding a melody or chordal accompaniment on the treble strings. You must keep the rhythm perfectly steady with the thumb. Practice with a metronome set to a slow tempo to create a solid rhythmic feel. Begin by alternating between the root and the fifth of the G major chord. Respectively, these notes are G and D. Then, practice the alternating bass line with a C major chord. The root and fifth of this chord is C and G. Once you have mastered playing an alternating bass line with these individual chords, begin to switch back and forth between these two chords while keeping the bass steady. Remember to visualize and think ahead while working through this chord progression. Finally, add the alternating bass line to the dominant V chord in this key, D major. After completing this process, you can successfully apply an alternating bass line to a 12 bar blues progression in the key of G major.

Chapter 2: (03:40) Mississippi John Hurt StyleExercise 1

Hawkeye plays through an entire 12 bar blues progression in the key of G using the alternating bass line that he demonstrated in the previous scene. You must be able to play the alternating bass line without thinking about it if you are going to be successful with playing melodies and chordal figures as well. Consequently, you must practice the alternating bass line until it becomes second nature to you.

Note: Tablature and notation to the exercises presented in this lesson can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

Exercise 2

The next step is to add the chordal accompaniment to the alternating bass line. Simply brush up on the two highest strings in eighth notes while simultaneously playing the first two eighth notes of the bass line. This simultaneous chordal / bass line figure remains constant through the entire form of the 12 bar blues.

Chapter 3: (02:30) Finishing Up
This time around, Hawkeye replaces the G major chord in bar four with a G7 chord. This chord substitution creates a stronger transition to the IV chord. G7 functions as the dominant chord in relation to the IV chord, C major.

It is absolutely essential that you master the basic alternating bass presented in this lesson. Hawkeye will expand upon this technique in future lessons.

Jeff,
National doesn't make a nylon thumb pick ... they're made out of plastic ... and as a result, they are not adjustable like the Herco Blue Nylon thumb picks I recommend and have used for many years (first given to me so long ago by Doc Watson.
Here's the thumb pick you're using, I believe:
http://www.juststrings.com/nat-2263m.html?productid=nat-2263m&channelid=FROOG&utm_source=CSEs&utm_medium=GoogleShopping&utm_campaign=JuststringsCSE .... if it works for you ... that's great!!! However, I prefer the lighter weight, comfort, and adjustability of nylon thumb pick. Here's a forum post about the 'issue.' ... http://www.jamplay.com/forums/hawkeye-herman/4476.htm ...
To each his own.
Keep on pickin' and grinnin' ... plastic of nylon. ;-)

Wow that's great I always continue to enjoy your lessons. Like I said your the most understanding guitar lesson teacher I have found in acoustic, delta and country blues. I also play electric and several different styles of blues or at least I try and I do study and research on top of that . I will definitely stick with your lessons . It helps me out a lot.

As you may know, I met Doc Watson back in the early 1970s ... he recommended gave me my first Herco Blue Nylon Thumb pick ... which I've been using ever since. ;-) I hope you continue to enjoy these lessons.

Lots of fun. Mississippi John Hurt, Chet Adkins, Doc Watson. I always took it that Doc Watson was inspired by Delta Blues before he ever heavily started collaborating in the blue grass and traditional country music scene.At least that is my point of view. This style of playing is a very fun practice.

Thanks so much for the kind words, Gary. Very much appreciated. I love the music and I'm passionate about it and sharing it with others. Can you tell? ;-) I hope you continue to enjoy these lessons. Thanks again.

Hello Hawkeye from Chicagoland! Great series of lessons - it's really helped me to pull some things together. I would really like to see some slide stuff next. Thanks for helping me to get some good sound out of this resonator guitar!

aikidojoe, Thanks so much for your kind message. Much appreciated. There's much more to come ... I have already taped/filmed many hours of slide guitar lessons for jamplay.com ... so hang in there ... they'll be posting the slide lessons soon ... you must understand that we must 'finish' posting the standard blues guitar lessons that I've filmed/taped ... and then the slide guitar lessons will start to appear here ... sooner ... than later ... I assure you. So, please continue to hang in there with me. Thanks again.

As Hawkeye and Nessa mentioned, there are a multitude of wonderful slide lessons coming, including how to make use of different tunings. Hawkeye has a LOT more in store for you guys in the Blues series so stay tuned in the coming weeks and months.

aikidojoe, Thanks for the message and kind words about my lessons. I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying them, and learning how to play the blues. Sorry you didn't make it up to Grafton, WI last weekend (9/19 & 20) for the Paramount Blues Festival ... where I was performing ... only about 90 minutes away from Chicago ... I have already filmed many hours of slide guitar lessons for jamplay.com ... hang in there with me ... there will be plenty to keep you busy. Thanks again.

Blues Guitar with Hawkeye

The blues is a distinctly American style of music. Many popular genres such as jazz, rock, and country music draw upon basic blues concepts. Consequently, it is advantageous for any guitarist to study the blues.

Hawkeye explains how to add variety to the shuffle pattern by transferring the bass notes to the treble register and by adding palm muting. He also explains how you can create your own shuffle variations.

Having trouble getting those fingers to form barre chords? In lesson #115 of his Blues Series, Hawkeye covers some tips and techniques to help with these problematic chord shapes. Any beginner can master...

Hawkeye opens up some ideas on how to "plan ahead" in your playing. Similar to riding a bike, you need to look forward to see where your going. Humming what you want to play allows you to anticipate the...

"Herman plays with a sensitive, reflective touch that continually draws
attention to his vocals, which are effectively understated and free of
affectation... Herman can rock with the best of them. A solid choice for fans of
traditional acoustic blues."Living Blues Magazine

" ...plays haunting music on a mournful guitar." Los Angeles Times

"The only thing better than hearing this live album is seeing Hawkeye Herman
in the flesh. Whether adding his own spin to blues classics or offering his
own songs, Herman is a one-man history of blues, noteworthy guitar player and
inimitable communicator. Miss him at your peril."Blues Access

With over 40 years of performing experience, Michael "Hawkeye" Herman
personifies the range of possibilities in blues and folk music. His dynamic blues
guitar playing and vocal abilities have won him a faithful following and he leads
a very active touring schedule of performances at festivals, concerts, school
programs and educational workshops throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
His original music has been included in video dramas and documentaries and in
four hit theatrical productions.

In 2000, Hawkeye was awarded Philadelphia's
Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre for best original music in a
theatrical production. "Everyday Living," Hawkeye's first nationally released album
from 1987, now reissued on CD, features the late blues giants Charles Brown and
"Cool Papa" Sadler, and established the demand for his now long-standing
festival and concert touring. His latest CDs and DVD, "Blues Alive!" (CD), "It's
All Blues To Me" (CD), and "Hawkeye Live In Concert" (DVD) have been greeted
with rave reviews. Hawkeye's journalistic efforts have been published in numerous
national and regional blues and music-related periodicals.

In 1998 he was the
recipient of the Blues Foundation's "Keeping The Blues Alive" award for
achievement in education. He served on the Board of Directors of the Blues
Foundation for six years. Hawkeye was inducted into the Iowa Blues Hall of fame in
2004. In September of 2005, Hawkeye composed, at the request of the British
Broadcasting Company (BBC), "Katrina, Oh Katrina (Hurricane Blues)," detailing the
hurricane disaster on the Gulf Coast. The song was aired to over 7 million
listeners on the popular "BBC Today" program. He is the cofounder of the Rogue
Valley Blues Festival, Ashland, OR.

This musician has definitely carved out a
spot for himself in the contemporary acoustic blues/folk field, and has earned a
reputation as one of the most accomplished artists in the genre, and
audiences throughout the US/Canada/Europe have come to know and appreciate Hawkeye's
talent, dedication, and captivating performances.

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